The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation based in Portland, Maine, dedicated to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to develop their potential and provide healthy, productive futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. The foundation was established in 2005 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$28.2M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+7.2% YoY
Grant Count
94
-16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
+27.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sam L Cohen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's work is guided by three core beliefs:
- Everyone deserves an opportunity to have a fulfilling and productive future
- Family and community are of utmost importance in life
- Giving back to one's community is a fundamental value
The foundation's grant-making is concentrated in five program areas:
Arts & Culture — Promoting the teaching and practice of music, dance, theater, visual arts, and creative writing to enrich and enhance quality of life and community.
Civic & Community — Advancing opportunity and quality of life for underserved and marginalized populations by strengthening the social and economic fabric of communities.
Education — Supporting the entire continuum from pre-K through college and adulthood as a critical investment in citizens and community futures.
Health & Human Services — Expanding access and choices for vulnerable and low-income individuals and families.
Sustaining Jewish Culture & Tradition — Supporting programs that preserve and advance Jewish cultural and religious practices.
The foundation's direction is guided by the life and legacy of founder Sam Cohen, whose values emphasized quiet generosity, supporting his community, helping the underprivileged, and promoting human rights and understanding among all peoples.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 153 grants in 2023, with total giving of approximately $2.48 million. Recent notable grants include:
Grant Range
**
Review Cycle
** December 1 - January 15 and June 1 - July 15
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its grant-making on nonprofit organizations in southern Maine, specifically serving Cumberland and York counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $27.6 million
- Total Revenue: $2.9 million
- Total Expenses: $3.07 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $681,324
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $28,191,741 | $27,561,144 | $27,736,124 |
| Revenue | $3,923,912 | $2,899,450 | $1,991,234 |
| Expenses | $3,293,315 | $3,074,430 | $4,738,368 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,969,636 | $2,787,323 | $3,703,581 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,649,189 | $2,617,343 | $1,006,447 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,613,713 | $1,513,676 | $1,623,369 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Sam L Cohen Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine ($250,000), Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine ($125,000), Gulf of Maine Research Institute ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 317 MAIN COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER YARMOUTH, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ACLU OF MAINE PORTLAND, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHERN MAINE PORTLAND, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ARTVAN BRUNSWICK, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHERN MAINE PORTLAND, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHERN MAINE PORTLAND, ME | A PLACE OF GROWTH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
| CAMP SUNSHINE AT SEBAGO LAKE INC CASCO, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CARING UNLIMITED SANFORD, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES MAINE PORTLAND, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN PORTLAND, ME | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
John Shoos — Executive Director (207) 871-5600, ext. 2 JShoos@SamLCohenFoundation.org
Dana Baldwin — Senior Program Officer (207) 871-5600, ext. 1 DBaldwin@SamLCohenFoundation.org
Gloria Nicholson — Grants & Finance Manager (207) 871-5600, ext. 0 GNicholson@SamLCohenFoundation.org
Board Trustees include Jerome F. Goldberg, Edward K. Simensky, and Jeffrey A. Nathanson.
The foundation has 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEROME F GOLDBERG ESQ | DIRECTOR, CHAIR | 10 | $18,500 |
| EDWARD K SIMENSKY CPA | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 2 | $15,000 |
| JEFFREY A NATHANSON ESQ | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 10 | $18,500 |
| SHERRY P BRODER ESQ | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 2 | $15,000 |
| JOHN SHOOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $156,235 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2020, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation committed $1 million to support COVID-19 response and recovery in Cumberland and York counties. The foundation has continued its regular grant-making activities, with semi-annual board meetings and grant cycles occurring in June and November of each year.
Cohen & Co Community Foundation Awards 28 Grants to Not-for-Profits in Program'sContact Information
Address: 22 Free Street, Suite 401 Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 871-5600
Website: www.samlcohenfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sam L Cohen Foundation fund?
The foundation's work is guided by three core beliefs: • Everyone deserves an opportunity to have a fulfilling and productive future • Family and community are of utmost importance in life • Giving back to one's community is a fundamental value The foundation's grant-making is concentrated in five program areas: **Arts & Culture** — Promoting the teaching and practice of music, dance, theater, visual arts, and creative writing to enrich and enhance quality of life and community. **Civic & Commu…
How do I apply for a grant from Sam L Cohen Foundation?
**Grant Activity** The foundation made 153 grants in 2023, with total giving of approximately $2.48 million. Recent notable grants include: • Portland Stage Company: $200,000 for "Making An Entrance" Capital Campaign (2023) • My Place Teen Center: $125,000 for Sustainability Campaign (2023) • Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine: $100,000 for Biddeford Area Food Access (2023) **Typical Grant Range** Awards typically range from $500 to $1,000,000. **Application Process** Nonprofit organizations that…
Where does Sam L Cohen Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses its grant-making on nonprofit organizations in southern Maine, specifically serving Cumberland and York counties.
What size grants does Sam L Cohen Foundation award?
In 2024, Sam L Cohen Foundation awarded 94 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sam L Cohen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sam L Cohen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sam L Cohen Foundation's EIN?
Sam L Cohen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2262822. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sam L Cohen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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